Sinfonia Gulf Coast is bringing the brilliant young musician to the area for Sinfonia, Sibelius & the 7th (of Beethoven). As Sinfonia Music Director Demetrius Fuller said in an interview earlier in the season, “She’s ready for this.”

Tickets range from $29.50 to $42.50 online at sinfoniagulfcoast.org or call 269-7229.

On Saturday, the Destin History & Fishing Museum is holding its annual Gumbo Contest and Silent Auction Fundraiser 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Destin Community Center.

I’ve agreed to help judge this year, so you might hear more about this from me later, but if you want to get in on the fun, be there Saturday.

Advance tickets are available at the museum for $10 per adult. They will be $12 at the door. Call 837-6611.

Tickets for Rosalynn Carter’s presentation Friday at Walton High School are $10 each. Call 892-7613 to check on availability.

Also, coming up next week, the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College brings the touring Broadway production of “Hair” to its stage in Niceville.

There’s a full story and photograph on page C9, but I didn’t want you to overlook it. It’s one of the shows I’d dearly love to see, and if it weren’t on Wednesday night — Showcase press night — I’d so be there.

*** 
Today’s cover story about the Ricky Nelson Remembered show is the result of an interview I did with one of the late star’s twin sons, Matthew.

Ironically, the telephone conversation took place the morning of the same day I fell in the afternoon and cracked my back.

Matthew could not have been more gracious. We talked for a full 30 minutes, and it was I who ended the interview.

He shared many wonderful stories about his family, more than what would fit into the story.

“I have hundreds of favorite memories,” he said.

One involved him and Gunnar being told on their 12th birthday they had to go to the dentist, news they did not accept gracefully.

“Mom picked us up in the old station wagon, and we didn’t have the greatest attitude, I’ll admit,” he recalled.

When they arrived, however, they found themselves at a recording studio and a surprise recording session arranged by their dad.

“Friends and family just kept showing up,” he said. “And there were these two killer singers doing backup who we found out later were the Pointer Sisters.

“The lesson from all this was: Mind your attitude and good things will happen.”

*** 
Another “thank you” seems in order this week.

I’m touched and humbled by the outpouring of support I’ve received regarding my appointment by Florida Senate President Don Gaetz to the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

My greatest hope is that I prove worthy of the confidence both he and you have placed in me. Thank you.

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Sinfonia Gulf Coast is bringing the brilliant young musician to the area for Sinfonia, Sibelius & the 7th (of Beethoven). As Sinfonia Music Director Demetrius Fuller said in an interview earlier in the season, “She’s ready for this.”

Tickets range from $29.50 to $42.50 online at sinfoniagulfcoast.org or call 269-7229.

On Saturday, the Destin History & Fishing Museum is holding its annual Gumbo Contest and Silent Auction Fundraiser 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Destin Community Center.

I’ve agreed to help judge this year, so you might hear more about this from me later, but if you want to get in on the fun, be there Saturday.

Advance tickets are available at the museum for $10 per adult. They will be $12 at the door. Call 837-6611.

Tickets for Rosalynn Carter’s presentation Friday at Walton High School are $10 each. Call 892-7613 to check on availability.

Also, coming up next week, the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College brings the touring Broadway production of “Hair” to its stage in Niceville.

There’s a full story and photograph on page C9, but I didn’t want you to overlook it. It’s one of the shows I’d dearly love to see, and if it weren’t on Wednesday night — Showcase press night — I’d so be there.

*** 
Today’s cover story about the Ricky Nelson Remembered show is the result of an interview I did with one of the late star’s twin sons, Matthew.

Ironically, the telephone conversation took place the morning of the same day I fell in the afternoon and cracked my back.

Matthew could not have been more gracious. We talked for a full 30 minutes, and it was I who ended the interview.

He shared many wonderful stories about his family, more than what would fit into the story.

“I have hundreds of favorite memories,” he said.

One involved him and Gunnar being told on their 12th birthday they had to go to the dentist, news they did not accept gracefully.

“Mom picked us up in the old station wagon, and we didn’t have the greatest attitude, I’ll admit,” he recalled.

When they arrived, however, they found themselves at a recording studio and a surprise recording session arranged by their dad.

“Friends and family just kept showing up,” he said. “And there were these two killer singers doing backup who we found out later were the Pointer Sisters.

“The lesson from all this was: Mind your attitude and good things will happen.”

*** 
Another “thank you” seems in order this week.

I’m touched and humbled by the outpouring of support I’ve received regarding my appointment by Florida Senate President Don Gaetz to the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

My greatest hope is that I prove worthy of the confidence both he and you have placed in me. Thank you.